By Nanette Wiser
SKI WYOMING Nestled at the base of Snow King Mountain and located just 20 minutes from Jackson Hole Airport, Snow King Resort offers 203 newly renovated rooms plus restaurants and spa. Resort guests can ski right to the chair lift and enjoy all of the activities Snow King Mountain has to offer: boarding, skiing and night skiing, sledding, snow tubing, and the uber fun Cowboy Coaster that drops 600 feet from start to finish. The mountain now features a new king gondola, fixed-grip triple chairlift and two magic carpets for beginners. Apres ski, walk to Town Square’s quaint shops and restaurants where you can warm up with hot cocoa after ice skating. www.snowking.com
In addition to skiing, you can take a dog sledding tour to nearby Granite Hot Springs, snowmobile, explore the National Elk Refuge from a horse drawn sleigh, snowshoe and cross-country ski at Grand Teton National Park, explore then National Museum of Wildlife Art, sip wine at the Jackson Hole Winery, enjoy craft beers at the Snake River Brewing Company and sample the small batch gin and vodka made with crip mountain water at the Jackson Hole Still Works.
Book a Snow King Adventure Tour to see and photograph bison, elk, deer, moose, fox, coyote, bald eagles, trumpeter swans and maybe wolves. www.jacksonholechamber.com
EXPLORE OLD FLORIDA Take a step back in time and explore some of Florida’s rich history in the flatwoods of Volusia County, accessible from the west bank of the Tomoka River. The Addison Blockhouse, a small, picturesque coquina rock ruin, is located on what was once an 18th-century plantation built by John Moultrie. Later, John Addison, then Duncan McRae, owned and worked the land, growing cotton and sugar cane from 1816 to 1836 until it was burned in the Second Seminole War. The blockhouse ruin is roofless, with one small round tower on one corner. Inside the blockhouse is a large fireplace. Although the kitchen foundation is from the 18th century, the upper part of the blockhouse was added in the 1920s. The site also contains the adjacent foundation and walls of a sugar mill constructed by Duncan McRae in 1832. Visit all the Florida State Parks www.floridastateparks.org/learn/florida-state-parks-annual-pass
GIDDYAP Explore horseback riding adventures on local beaches and trails. Trip Advisor 2022 Traveler’s Choice C Ponies Beach Horses leads excursions in Anna Maria, Bradenton, Sarasota and Tampa Bay on their rescued Gypsy Vanners and Drum horses. Looking for great family fun? This ride gives you the best of both worlds. Start out with a relaxing ride into Palma Sola Bay and end with several swims with your horse near Anna Maria. Explore Alafia River State Park’s wildlife on a scenic and tranquil horse ride or trek the trails at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve or Little Manatee River State Park. www.cponies.com
Closer to home in Pinellas Park, Cypress Breeze Farms offers horseback riding adventures lasting 45-60 minutes for beginners and advanced riders, including beach horseback riding and equine yoga. By appointment only. Their stables connect with the Pinellas Park Equestrian Trail.